7 Plants For Overcoming Cough

Coughing is not a disease but a symptom of a disease. Coughing is the body's defense mechanism to clear the airways.

Cough medicines commonly used are those containing antitussives, decongestants, expectorants, or a combination. For treatment other than conventional medicine can also be with herbal medicine.


Problems faced are still not much data available relating to the mechanism in dealing with herbal cough. Abdul Mun'im, MSI, PhD from the Graduate Faculty of Pharmacy Herbal UI Department of OB Herbal Junior at launch in Jakarta, Thursday (09/02/2012) revealed several findings about the plants that can treat a cough, both traditional and scientific research.

Here are some plants that can be used to treat a cough:
A. Ginger rhizome (Rhizoma Zingebris)
Ginger and preparations have long been used for treatment of flu symptoms. The effects associated with the immunomodulatory activity. In addition, some compounds contained in ginger may be useful in increasing body temperature. Clinical trials Ginger is used more as an anti-nausea and vomiting.

2. Mint Leaves (Folia Menthae)
Anti-cough effect: As an expectorant. Essential oils stimulate the respiratory mucosa; enhance or dilute the mucus secretion; provide a sense of cool; and lowers the surface tension of the lung, thus improving the flow of incoming air. Another effect of Mint Leaf: As anti-microbial.

3. Rhizome Powder (Kaemferaie Rhizoma)
A key benefit is overcome respiratory disorders. Effectiveness data for respiratory disorders are generally still in experimental animals. The use of the aromatherapy: for relaxation, carminative and sedative. Another use: Cosmetic skin. Activity: Ethyl cinnamic, asorelaksasi.

4. Fruit Lime (Citrus Aurantii Fructus)
Lime for use of the cough is mostly done empirically. Benefits of Essential oil content: As the aroma therapy of the respiratory tract. Benefits of Vitamin C content: Can be connected with aktivitasi munomodulator. Current clinical studies for standardized extract (Sineprin) is more widely used for weight control.

5. Timi herb (Thymi Herb)
Thymi is one plant that has long been used as antibatuk. The main effect as an expectorant and Antis pasmodik. This activity allegedly related to the content of Essential Oils (thymol and karvakrol), and flavonoids. Thimi lubrication intra muscular and oral administration in experimental animals, showed stimulation of the respiratory tract. In a double blind randomized clinical trial in 60 patients with complaints of productive cough. Use of syrup Thimi (3x10mL/hari) for 5 days, proved to give effect to the bromheksin not significantly different.

6. Nutmeg (Myristicae Cement)
Nutmeg is the main content of essential oils. Use of Nutmeg which has supported scientific studies is as a sedative and carminative agent. Animal studies prove the Nutmeg can increase the duration of sleep.

7. Sweet root (Glycyrrhizae Radix)
Sweet is the root of the main raw material for OBH (Black Cough). The development of the Black Cough is now combined with conventional medicine. The main content is Glisirisin Sweet Root.